Malkin And Iginla Become Footnotes

That's right, I am calling it. Alex Ovechkin will win the Hart. Not because he is the NHL's top scorer with most goals and points. Not because he was an instrument in the biggest turnaround for any team ever going from dead last in the Division at the halfway point and coming back and winning their division and a playoff berth. Not because he would be only the second Russian to have the award on his resume that grows every time he takes the ice. It's because he is so smooth with the ladies (hey, he met a girl on the internet and she was actually who she said she was).

While it would have been nice to see them in Round 2, this is certainly a nice prize to reflect on a crazy season that had Ovechkin the composer of a hell of a comeback. Only Jerome Iginla could come close as he certianly helped carry his team into the playoffs. But he didn't have to do it from the basement of the conference.

Other News and Notes:

• Ovie has also been cleared to play for team Russia in the World Championships having solved his insurance woes. The Russian Federation had to pay upwards of $800,000 to insure the $174 million contract it had been reported. Russia won their exhibition game against Canada 4-1 without the services of Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov or Alex Semin.
• Don't forget about other Caps that are playing: Nick Backstrom for team Sweden, Mike Green will suit up for team Canada, Tomas Fleischmann for the Czech Republic, Sami Lepisto for team Finland and Cristobal Huet for team France.
  
• Detroit, Pittsburgh and Dallas all have a commanding lead in their series 3-0. The second round is turning out to be a dud for Colorado, New York Rangers and San Jose. A big turnaround from a first round that had four game sevens. We could even be looking at a battle for Pennsylvania in the Eastern Conference Finals. Who are you going to cheer for now?
• The NHL has put together a group to reexamine the size of goaltenter's pads. Included in the group are Martin Broduer (Mr. I-hate-tinted-Visors), Rick DePietro (bad hip and all), Ryan Miller ("yo momma" champion), Dany Heatley (who would like to score more goals) and Mike Cammalleri (who would like to win a game). One thing I think the should do away with are the big pants. I have seen slimmer diapers on a baby. Plus, they have these square fronts on the thighs making the pants look as if you have bricks in your pockets. Round those suckers out.

BBQs And Golf

This year has been nothing short of spectacular. Even as the players downplay their disappointments and Caps fans still argue what constitutes "interference," it's nice to see the Flyers lose a heartbreaker in overtime in Montreal. How does it feel now Flyer fans! I guess they will be arguing what constitutes "kneeing."

But since the weather is nice and the pollen isn't that bad, it's time for a little hiatus from hockey. For a little bit. The World Championships is coming up in May and I will be back in time for those as well as the rest of the playoffs. I just need to do a couple of Bar-B-Q's and hit the links while the weather is cooperating. I will still be watching the games and teasing my Pittsburgh and Philly friends.

As far as my predictions for round two, the teams I had picked for the Stanley Cup Finals are still there, so far so good. And we can talk about free agency, who should stay, who should go and which of the draft picks are ready to wear a Caps sweater. But for now it's time for firing up the grill and taking long afternoon walks.

Kolzig The Baby

As much as I hate to bash the Capitals netminder of over a century (not that much though considering the title), Kolzig's absence at the end of year team meeting was less then classy. Even though his peers might show publicly otherwise, showing up early to clear his locker, leaving before the bulk of the team arrives, and skipping the mandatory meeting all sounds like the actions of a bitter person. But Olaf Kolzig never did hide his emotions very well.

He was never comfortable when Glen Hanlon left. He was called out by the new coach that never coached a day in the NHL, suddenly his workload was much more and the back up, Brent Johnson, was getting better numbers. Kolzig was caught in a situation where he wasn't "the man" anymore.

Kolzig was entitled to that starting position, after all that he did for the organization. But, to be honest, all he did was lose for the last 5 years. Everyone assumed is numbers dropped because of the what was in front of him, a young inexperienced defensive core. But with Johnson performing better, it made it hard to justify what was going on with him.

Then the biggest insult. On the last year of his contract, a contract he signed knowing full well they may not get to the playoffs for another two years beyond it, they traded a pick for a goaltender with better numbers. Three's Company.

Kolzig improved when the trade happened, he's no dummy, he had to. He knew he would be sharing time with Huet and if he didn't produce he would sit. He was doing alright, he raised his goals against average up almost a full percentage point. He was big in net, just like the old days. There was always a part of me though that saw him try too hard, his competitive spirit was getting in the way of getting the job done. When an opponent scored against him, his negative attitude radiated amongst the team.

That's when Chicago happened. 5-0. It was the nail in the coffin. He couldn't compete with Huet's goal a game. He just let 5 goals past, and 3 of them seemed soft. Kolzig never got another start in net. Not that the fans or the coaches or management wanted it to end that way.

Removing the nameplate, walking out of the building silent and just going home. That was his response to an incredible Capitals' season. I am sure if he had talk to reporters, what he had to say couldn't be repeated in civilized conversation. He's upset, hurt, and bitter.

But what he fails to realize is the fans still love him. There were more Kolzig jerseys at game seven than Huet. There was more sympathy for him in this town, Kolzig was still King. He earned 300 wins here. He still wears the C even if the league won't let him sew it on. His actions after the season were a bit self centered and immature. But, truthfully, would we want Kolzig to be any other way?

Some other news and notes:

• Nicklas Backstrom was the only non-Blackhawk nominated for the Calder. He should get it, doesn't mean he will.
• Ratings for Game 7 were through the roof. Even talk of the Caps fans having more of pulse than Wizards fans. I thought I would never see the day. Still pisses me off though that Redskins Radio is still taking up an hour on CSN when they have zero to talk about. One can only listen to talk of Chad Johnson so much. He's not leaving Cincy!
  
• Bruce Boudreau was given a contract extension to be the Capitals' coach for a very long time. He is looking at houses in Maryland.
• Uncle Ted was probably the most inconsolable following the Game 7 loss. I heard fans cheered for him as he made his way to the locker room following the end of the game, he looked "very emotional." Aw.
• There was a very upset boy in our row following the game and all attempts to cheer him up were going south until one fan knelt to him and told him to cheer up. "If you are going to be a Caps fan, you are going to have a lot of days like these." Priceless.
  

First Round Winners and Losers

As much as I want to pull the covers over my head and hide away from the world after the heartbreaking 7th game loss by the Capitals, it's better to going back to business as usual. Which means breaking down what I thought were first round winners and losers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Winners

Capitals and Flames - Both teams that didn't win their series, but sure gave the NHL a show. Each pushed their series to game sevens and both raised a few eyebrows doing it. The future looks pretty bright for each. Boston gets honorable mention here as well.

Pittsburgh Penguins - It is quite the accomplishment to sweep any team in the playoffs, injured and downtrodden or not. Maybe if they let Ottawa win a few, Evgeni Malkin and Sid Crosby could be the scoring leaders now.

NHL Network - Being the first post season with the channel on my tube (as well on many of yours) was a godsend. The analyst was pretty dead on, and the NHL on the Fly program kept me up to date with every series. They did a great job.

Versus - They keep getting better and better. They are still finding the right games to air nationally and lately the production is head and shoulders above last year. Their coverage has been really good.

Dallas Stars - They knocked off the Stanley Cup champs, and they did it by keeping a cool head. After having a somewhat shaky end to their season, they certainly showed up in the playoffs.

Jeremy Roenick - After being a scratch for Game 6, Roenick responded with a 4 point night in Game 7. That's clutch. During his interview with Versus on live television, he saluted the crowd raising his stick in the air and the San Jose faithful responded. You could see him drink it in. It was a legendary moment.

Losers

Sean Avery - Now we have the Sean Avery rule! Anytime the league has to clarify a ruling mid first round in the playoffs means you did a major boo boo.

Ottawa Senators - The goaltending issue, the injury issue, the heart issue. From first to worst the only team swept in the first round of the playoffs.

Vancouver Canucks - They weren't even in the playoffs and axed their GM Dave Nonis just 3 years into what was his 5 year plan for the team. Talk about impatient. They just hired Mike Gillis today and as I am typing this he is talking to the Vancouver press at the moment.

Whoever threw the beer bottle from the 400 section in Game 7 - And hit the very nice lady in our row. I understand your frustration, but seriously.

ESPN Sports Center (or Centre for our neighbors toward the north) - For only covering two games out of 4 on one particular night. Honestly, I don't even watch ESPN for hockey highlights much anymore.

I don't really feel like making any predictions for Round two, but will probably get something up for tomorrow. In the meantime read the latest at KCI from Tarik here. Looks like Kolzig will not be a Capital next year. And I might be able to wrangle an interview from someone in a few days. We will see.

Dem's Da Breaks

Game 7 - Capitals 2, Flyers/NHL Officiating 3 OT - PHI wins 4-3
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

It wasn't suppose to end like this. The Referees weren't supposed to be a factor in a pivotal game seven. A obvious goaltender interference missed. And, in the end the better team lost. The Flyers were on the ropes, both in the third and in overtime. The officiating just needed to keep it fair. To bad it wasn't.

Patrick Thoresen shoved Shaone Morrisonn into Cris Huet and Sami Kapanen threw the puck into an empty net, giving the Flyers the 2-1 lead. But no goaltender interference was called. The NHL explained: "Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet."

Um, Ok. Isn't that the definition of interference when a player checks another into the goaltender? In a series that had 5 goaltender interference calls, why all of a sudden stop calling them? What is going on here? Then are you saying that Viktor Kozlov's is now not considered goaltender interference? Enter expletives here, because the Koharski and Devorski totally fouled up this call.

Now the trip by Tom Poti was a penalty, but called by the wrong official. The trailing official, in this case Devorski, called the penalty. He was the trailing referee and was behind the play. It was Koharski's call as lead official who had just happen to be looking right at the play and didn't call the penalty.

Funny how none of the Flyers were called for much of the same infractions that had the Caps sitting in the box. But hey, that is why I don't wear the stripes. After the game and the handshake Scott Hartnell skated over and waved cheerfully at the officials or at the fans. I wasn't sure if he was thanking the referees or antagonizing the crowd, either way it was a pretty classless thing to do.

All of that aside, the Caps just couldn't score in the third and the beginning of overtime. It was one of the most entertaining periods as the Caps pressed. Clearly the Capitals were in command, they were moving the puck, the Flyers looked tired and were standing around. But all of that hard work did not yield a goal.

Nick Backstrom scored his 4th playoff goal and Alex Ovechkin was able to tie the game on a wicked slapshot that Marty Biron never saw. Eric Fehr played one of the best hockey games I have seen him play in the NHL. He had a few opportunities to score. Boyd Gordon had a great series, so did John Erskine, Donald Brashear, Dave Steckel and of course Alex Semin.

Credit Marty Biron, he had to be good for the Flyers to even have a chance. And he kept them in it until the end. For a good part of the game the Philly squad were on their heels. Better to be lucky than good, I guess. They had turned over so many pucks in the third period off of an aggressive Capital forecheck, they could have opened a bakery (and sell turnovers). They should consider themselves very, very, very lucky they wrangled that rebound in overtime.

It's not the way this season should have ended for the Washington Capitals. But we, Caps fans, have nothing to be sad about. Alex Ovechkin lead the league in goals and points and will be the NHL's MVP. The Caps came from last place to finish first in the Southeast. When the series was down to 3-1, the Caps came roaring back. It should have been a story book ending, and in many ways it was. It could be argued that they had no business being in the playoffs or in game seven of the series. But they were there, and boy, they were spectacular.

Don't worry Caps fans, the sun will come up tomorrow. This summer will be quick. And I can't wait to see the encore of a season next year. Now they do have the experience. Now they will have some hunger to do more. Just like Ovie said, "It's not over."

Not So Fast Philly

Game 6 - Capitals 4, Flyers 2 - Series Tied 3-3
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

Four unanswered goals spanning the second and third periods. Four amazing goals forcing a crucial game seven back in Chinatown. After the Flyers got the start they wanted, the cardiac Capitals save their best game to force a deciding game. No handshakes tonight at the Wachovia Center, this series is back in DC. And was there any doubt?

You can only put Alex Ovechkin in a bottle for so long until he explodes for two of the biggest goals of the series. He scored the game winner and added some insurance both in the third period. Alex Semin also was instrumental in the Caps come from behind win with a goal and a big assist. Nick Backstrom also got a tally.

The Capitals seem to play their best hockey when they are against the inevitable. Philadelphia opened the scoring in the first with a power play goal and scored early in the second with another power play tally to get the start of a lifetime at home in what they considered a "must win" game. They had all the momentum and had a glorious opportunity to put the Caps away a power play.

But the Caps killed it off, and came storming back. First off of a pretty tape to tape to tape pass by Backstrom, Semin and Brooks Laich, concluding with Backstrom going top shelf to cut the Flyers lead in half. Then John Erskine threw a bomb at Marty Biron who misplayed it with his glove and Semin gobbled up the rebound to tie the game late in the second.

Then Ovechkin went to work. Philly definitly had the chances to go up 3-0 and even 3-2 but a couple of posters and some great saves by Cris Huet (who earned second star honors) kept the score even. Then off a shot from the Flyers' point blocked by Ovie. Viktor Kozlov picked up the rebound and hit the streaking Ovechkin in stride. And the left winger made no mistake, going upstairs on Biron for the eventual game winning goal.

It seemed fitting (downright poetic) that after the Flyers had kept Ovechkin in check for so long that it was a wide open breakaway that got the Caps right back into this series. After that the All Star forward was flying. He even drew a hooking penalty and scored on the following "too many men" Flyer penalty. Brooks Laich saw him streaking down the left side and passed it for the one timer.

Lights out, 4-2. The Flyers tried to get an attack going, but looked just a little less confident as they had in games 1 through 4. The once boisterous Flyer crowd found it more important to beat the traffic out of the building then cheering their team to the end. I guess there were no chants of "@%*! Ovechkin!" on the escalators this night.

Brooks Laich, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and John Erskine were at their best in this game. The foursome always seemed to keep the play moving and were strong on their skates (hitting, maneuvering and finding the open man). They were the ones that stood out the most down the stretch for me. Alex Semin also has flourished while Ovie has struggled. With Ovechkin getting all the attention, it has been easy for the skilled forward to find some room, and he is making the most of his opportunities.

This is exactly what the Flyers were hoping to avoid. They didn't want to travel back to DC, they wanted a couple of days of rest, they assumed that they could end it amongst their fans. But that wasn't to be for the orange and black. Now it's another trip back to the phone booth with questions in their mind.

The job is not done. The Caps still have to come back to Verizon Center on back to back nights to play the Flyers one last time. Unlike other wins in this series however, it finally seems the Caps have all the momentum. The schedule couldn't have been written up any better for them. While it's fun to relish in this win, the Caps are still looking to finish out the series. They can do it by winning their third straight playoff game.